I've had a reply from Dirk Jordan regarding the start times for Dresden. It may be possible to change the start times, if the majority of participants want it. The 9:30 start is the result of the vote from the 2015 WCh. From his reply: "..... To summarize, the organizers will determine the beginning of the rounds in accordance with the wishes of the participants. Should the vote from the World championship in 2015, with a clear majority of 90% in favor of the morning rounds, not apply anymore and should the majority of players wish for a change respectively, it should be able to organize this accordingly.

The first English 50+ team in Radebeul in July will be:
Nigel Short
John Nunn
Jon Speelman
John Emms
Mark Hebden
The final order to be decided nearer the time. That will be the strongest team we have ever fielded.

Russia will no doubt provide stiff opposition, but if Israel can get Gelfand and Smirin interested they will also be competitive.

In previous years, Russia have sent a women's team for the 50+ but not a male team. They usually have 65+ male teams called Russia and St. Petersburg leaving the rest to compete for bronze.

Canada (in the 50+) and Singapore (in both) have entered so it won't be an entirely European event.

Yusupov is on board 2 for one of the German teams. But teams can be changed until the captain's meeting.

I would not expect or welcome the time of the final round to be changed. With a 9.30am start, it's possible to get home without paying an additional night's accommodation. Some people may have booked flights already on that basis.

The first English 65+ team in Radebeul 7-15 July will be:
Robert Bellin
Nigel Povah
Tony Stebbings
Steve Berry
Roger Emerson

The final team order will be decided nearer the time.
This is the strongest senior age group team we have ever sent to either the European or World Senior Team Championship. We started sending teams in 2002.

IM Nigel Povah has been the person principally responsible for raising such a strong team.

I see that there are many English teams now entered for the 50+ and 65+ championships at Dresden in July, including Welsh and Scottish teams and an English women's team for the first time. There will also be 50+ and 65+ teams from Ireland.

In the past, Stewart, you offered to donate a prize for the best performance above rating of a senior team if all four countries were represented at the same event?
I look forward to your confirmation of this. It could be a great incentive for all our teams to over-perform!

I will now, when I have time, contact the organisers in Radebeul to ensure there are 5 medals and one trophy.
Currently England have 44 players and 9 teams. We could instead have 10. The full list is on the ECF website.
Written in Poland at the ESTCC. There are 2 Scottish teams and just one English there. The Sots are having roblems for Radebeul as it clashes with the Sottish Championships.

Looking again at the declared teams for Radebeul (link above) I see I was wrong about the Scots, sorry. However that doesn't mean they aren't necessarily going and I hope they can send a team in each event, or at least one. That clash is unfortunate.

It's good to see the Welsh entering both sections.

I expect there will be more entries by the closing date. No Swedes or Russians are declared yet.

On the non-FIDE front, the Amateur Chess Organisation (ACO) is hosting its World Senior Chess Championship from 15th to 24th October 2018 on Crete. There’s seven grading groups (allotted according to the higher of your FIDE rating or national grade) and open to anyone - you don’t even need a FIN. You just have to be 50 or older at some point during this year.

Get in by 15 June 2018 to save €150 on the final price. I’m already booked and not the only one who'll be heading away from these shores. Getaway. There's Easyjet and BA flights taking off from Gatwick, and no doubt other fine airports too.